Hi there! How can we help you?

Have a Question? a Comment? a Problem? Suggestions?

We’re here to help!

Contact Our Team
Your Friendly Lima Team

Fast Answers

Where’s my order?

Log in to see your order history.

Need to return something?

Request a return to get started.

Other common questions:

For questions on shipping, restocking, and other policies, see our FAQ.

Dollar Days is Back: Stock up on 1,500 Deals Starting Under a Buck! Shop Now
Tips & Techniques

Get tips and techniques to become a better beader at Lima Beads.

Chatter










Using a Crimp Cover


About this Tip:

Follow this step-by-step technique to learn the basics of using a crimp cover to hide your crimp beads.

Components:

The products featured in this tip are listed below.


Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1:
Hold the crimp cover with flat nose pliers (easier to hold in my opinion) or with chain nose pliers.
Step 2:
While grasping the crimp cover in your pliers, insert crimp bead into the crimp cover so that it is cupping it. I typically wait until I’m done stringing to add the crimp cover.
Step 3:
Pinch the cover closed over the crimp bead.
Step 4:
Turn the crimp cover a quarter turn and pinch again to secure the seam and round off the cover.
Step 5:
All done!

Buy Products from this Technique

1 gram (approx. 40 pieces)
1-3$1.90
4-9$1.75
10+$1.62

More Photos & Ideas »

Piece
1$8.70
2-4$8.00
5+$7.40
Only 2 left!

More Photos & Ideas »




Read the comments (or add your own)

  1. Corinne
    Corinne says:

    Thank you so much! It was really difficult for me to be able to squeeze the cover in a right manner. Now, I think I will do it right.

  2. Vee aka Dream Chickie
    Vee aka Dream Chickie says:

    Thank you! This really helps! I was having a challenging time closing my crimp covers.

  3. Loretta L
    Loretta L says:

    I have trouble with the smaller crimp covers as my fingers just don’t cooperate! However, I have found if I use the 6mm covers it works great for me.

  4. No Photo
    William G says:

    looking,reading, learning. Great stuff!

  5. desert beader
    desert beader says:

    I’ve never used crimp covers, but after seeing the technique,it presents more professionally. thanks for the tip

  6. No Photo
    P Baker says:

    Thrilled I found your site, offers more easier than other sites

  7. RonnyJ
    RonnyJ says:

    I use the larger, base metal crimps and crimp covers due to hand stiffness, sometimes paint with alcohol ink to match beads.

  8. No Photo
    N schreiber says:

    lately my crimp beads have been slipping, I have seen a one spot crimp tool used instead of the usual crimp tool, which one is the best? sorry question not comment. n. schreiber

  9. No Photo
    beebop754 says:

    Great tips maybe my covers won’t look so horrible now thanks a lot. Lisa Aceto

  10. No Photo
    M fosbre says:

    question: do you crimp the bead first and then the cover or is it a one step ?

  11. No Photo
    Moogie says:

    You crimp & fold over the crimp bead then add the cover. Adding the covers used to make me insane but with practice, I’ve gotten better. I also found a special tool to help! But it’s not absolutely necessary…

  12. No Photo
    llosingit says:

    For those of you that noted your crimp BEADS seem to slip. I had the same problem every time I took classes & the teacher made us use a crimp bead. I actually had the wire pull right out of a bracelet I made & gave as a Christma’s gift. Embarrassing! I started using crimp TUBES, usually 2mm x 2mm, and they work a thousand times better for me.

  13. No Photo
    LSuzanne says:

    Yes! Your advice is totally on the mark. Crimp tubes are a thousand times better than the beads. I’ve used both, but switched to the tubes 12 years ago.

  14. Drio
    Drio says:

    Great advice! I’ve been doing it wrong for so long and
    getting so frustrated and wasting so much time.

    Thank you so much. ☺️

  15. No Photo
    C Edmonds says:

    I like the crimp tubes better than the beads,myself,and use a crimp cover closer to give my pieces a more “finished” appearance. For added strength at the bottom of the clamshell crimp bead,I add a second crimp tube,and cover that,as well.

  16. No Photo
    R Duhon says:

    Tip:If I have miss judged my project, I have found I can use a crimp cover to cover extra beading wire. Just use size and color that matches project.

  17. No Photo
    T Hudson says:

    What size of a crimp cover would you use, for a size 2 crimp tube?

  18. Stingray
    Stingray says:

    To cover a sz 2 crimp tube, 4mm would be ideal. 3mm would fit, but it would be very tight.

Add your thoughts!

  1. No Photo
    YOU say:

    Sign up for a Lima account to comment—it's quick and free!

    Already have an account? Just log in.